You do not need to want to become a politician to study Politics - but as a future voter and citizen, it will help you understand the world around you in greater depth, and reveal what is going on behind the headlines. It is also a great opportunity to gain analytical and evaluative skills and hone your critical thinking.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTSGCSE History Grade 6 is satisfactory; if you have not studied History at GCSE, English Language or Literature at Grade 6 or above can indicate suitability. Special cases will be considered on an individual basis. Note that the course is based around reading and essay-writing, with no significant numerical/mathematical component. “I have enjoyed this course. It has taught me about the fundamental individuals, foundational institutions and principles of modern society and the political world, encouraging me to question the purpose of our political system in the UK, and thus our responsibility as participants within it.” WHERE THIS SUBJECT CAN TAKE YOUWhile many Politics students go on to study university courses based on the subject, such as PPE or International Relations, this A level is a good foundation also for those going on to study related disciplines - such as History, Law, Sociology, and so on. Needless to say, the study of Politics gives students a good knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in Britain and the wider world, but it also develops the higher-level academic skills of analysis and evaluation; pupils will be well-practiced in identifying and explaining the long-term causes and consequences of political developments, and will be able to make appropriate and insightful comparisons between specific events, processes and individuals. Politics is also particularly effective in cultivating a critical frame of mind towards information and argumentation. All of these skills are much in demand in a professional context: careers that would particularly benefit from a study of Politics include Diplomacy, Law, Journalism, the Civil Service, Charity and Voluntary Sector work and Marketing - though any career which requires you to take a wider view, consider different perspectives, and understand problems from the inside out will find the experience of studying A level Politics useful. COURSE CONTENT/STRUCTUREComponent 1: Politics of the UK and Core Ideas
Component 2: Government of the UK; Non-core Ideas
Component 3: Global Politics
ASSESSMENT The course concludes with three two-hour exams on each component. Exams consist of evaluative and analytical essays, and short questions. Each exam (and each component) accounts for one-third of the total grade. |
